Elevator classifier



Jan: 25, 1938. A. c. M NRO 2,106,154

ELEVATOR CLAS S IFIER Original Filed June 30, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet l 1 N VEN TOR. fl/arazzok-n g M alzm BYMM, k/ @YQ/VEYS.

Original Filed June 30, 1936 3 SheetsSheet 2 INVENTOR.

ATTO NEYS.

52 filexand p 6. MM

Jan. 25, 1938.

A. C. MUNRO ELEVATOR CLASSIFIER Original Filed June 30, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Jan. 25, 1938 UNITED STATES ELEVATOR CLASSIFIER,

Alexander C. Munro, Britannia Beach,

British Columbia, Canada Application June 30, 1936, Serial No. 88,155. Re-

newed August 31, 1937.

4 Claims.

This invention relates to means for classifying, or segregating according to size, divided materials such as ores, minerals, or the like. This application is a. continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial Number 15,041, filed April 6, 1935, allowed April 21, 1936.

The main object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character described which will have maximum classifying efficiency together with large capacity for given size and cost.

A further object of the invention is to provide classifying apparatus which will operate effectively with minimum power consumption.

A further object of the invention is to provide a classifier employing. a continuous moving flexible carrier member provided with a plurality of agitator and elevating elements arranged to pass through a body of liquid containing solids in suspension, said apparatus being characterized by a remarkably low power consumption per unit of tonnage handled, absence of banking of solids within the body of liquid, and a freedom of surging at the fluid overflow portions of the device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a classifying apparatus provided with a looped carrier element having a plurality of agitator and elevator elements secured thereto, said carrier element having its lower portion mounted for movement through a body of fluid in such a manner as to define a quiescent zone within the loop thereof, and characterized by the provision of slimes overflow means disposed within said quiescent zone.

My invention comprises a receptacle or bootin which the pulp or material which is to be subjected to classification is introduced and an elevator-classifier operating in said receptacle or boot in such manner as to subject said material therein to the required amount of agitation and to scoop up and elevate or lift the coarser material and discharge it from the receptacle, separated from the finer material which is allowed to overflow from the receptacle at a quiescent zone disposed interiorly of said receptacle.

Other objects. and features of the invention will be brought out in the following description, or will be apparent therefrom. The accompanying drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, and referring thereto:

Fig. 1 is a partly broken-away plan View of a classifier according to the present invention;

Fig, 2 is a partly broken-away side elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on line 3-3 in Fig. 2;

In Canada March 31,

Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken on line 4-4 in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged end View of one of the elevator elements with which the device of the present invention may be provided.

Referring to the drawings, the apparatus may comprise atank or receptacle 4! provided with a vertically extending rectangular housing 42 extending downwardly a short distance into the receptacle ii and. carrying a horizontal shaft 43 at its upper end mounted on suitable bearings 4i and provided with operative connection to a suitable driving means as through the agency of a gear train t5 and a pulley 45. The shaft 43 carries, in this embodiment, two pulleys: or drums id on each of which a flexible carrier 4! is disposed, said carrier being provided with a. plurality of elevator and agitator elements 48. The tank or receptacle ll is adapted to contain, a body of fluid, and the level of fluid therein is maintained by means of a slimes overflow launder 49 extending longitudinally of the housing 4| through the central space defined by the loops 5! of the carrier elements 41. A feed launder 52 may be provided along one side of the receptacle 4|, adjacent the liquid level L defined by the overflow lips 53 of said launder 49, and preferably extends substantially the full length of said receptacle. Said feed launder is preferably disposed at the side of the receptacle M adjacent the descending run ill) of the carriers 41 at the side thereof removed from the launder 49, and

preferably comprises a separate launder portion for each of the carriers i LES at 52c and 5221, the main launder 52 being divided by a partition 61 to forinthe aforesaid portions 52a and 52b. Suitable openings 5'2 and 63 are provided for the respective launder portions, providing for supply of feed to each of the flexible carriers. The feed launder is preferably located at the descending run of the carriers, although I may provide the feed launder adjacent the ascending runs of the carriers if the occasion demands. In the event that the feed launder is provided at the ascending run of a carrier, I preferably cause it to enter the receptacle 4| at a point below the pulp level L to avoid washing settled material out of the ascending buckets, or, if it is impracticable to so supply the feed, I may introduce the same to the space between the receptacle wall and the depending portion of the housing 42, as at the space shown in Fig. 4 at the left side of the receptacle M. In this latter case, it is in general preferable to extend the lower end of the housing 42 somewhat further into the receptacle 4| full length of the housing 4|.

to ensure that no substantial washing effect is obtained at the position of the ascending buckets.

Water jet means are preferably provided adjacent the upper or head end of the carriers 41, as indicated at 54, to provide for fluid discharge of the collected solid material from the crotches 55 of the bucket members 48, said solid material together with the jet water being removed from the classifier through a sands launder 56 located adjacent the upper end of the descending run 41D, said sands launder extending substantially the If desired, a cover of sheet metal or the like may be provided as at 51 over the upper or head end of the carrier members 41, whereby the classifier is completely enclosed and water loss from the jets 54 is substantially eliminated.

In the operation of the device, the material to be classified, which may comprise a comminuted ore or the like, is suitably diluted with water or other desired liquid and supplied to the receptacle 4| through the feed launder 52. The carriers 4"! are set in motion in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 4. The buckets 48 will lift settled material from the receptacle and carry the same over the head pulley 46 into position such that the water jets from 54 will flush such material into the launder 56. The unsettled fine material in the receptacle 4| will be carried away as slimes in suspension, through the agency of the launder 49. It will be understood that the device may be used in closed circuit with a ball mill or other suitable form of comminuting device, if desired, so that the discharge from 56 may be conveyed directly to such mill.

The above-described form of the invention provides a quiescent zone Z within the depending loops of the carrier members 41, and the slimes overflow launder 49 is disposed within this quiescent zone which provides for accurate control of the fluid level within the classifying compartment defined by the tank, whereby any desired height of fluid may be maintained above the overflow lips 53 of said launder and a highly eflicient classifying action obtained, in the substantially complete absence of surge at said overflow lips. Suitable bafiles 58 are preferably provided adjacent the launder 49, depending downwardly from the lips 53, to assist in the maintenance of the aforementioned quiescent zone.

For the purpose of preventing undue banking of solids within the receptacle 4|, I preferably provide a curved bottom apron 65 looped downwardly within said receptacle below the lower end of the carriers 41 and the tips of the elements 48, and extending from adjacent the feed launder 52 to the opposite side of said receptacle. The apron 65 may be formed of sheet metal or the like, and functions primarily to decrease the volume of solid material which may settle out in the case of an unexpected shut-down due to power failure or the like, whereby the carriers 41 are subjected to a minimum starting load.

As shown more particularly in Fig. 5, the elevator or agitator elements 48 may comprise a blade or plate shaped to form an open-ended bucket which may be riveted or otherwise secured to the flexible carrier 41 as at 66. The rivet 66 is preferably located adjacent the mid-point of the height of the portion 48a of the element 48 which backs against .the carrier 41, whereby the carrier may make a smooth bend around the head pulley 46, as shown in Fig. 4. Alternative forms of elevator elements may advantageously be provided for the carrier 41, if desired, numerous examples of such alternative forms being disclosed in the aforesaid pending application.

The lower or looped ends of the carriers 41 are allowed to form their own path through the pulp body, the weight of said carriers plus the weight of the elevator elements secured thereto being adequate to force the lower ends thereof downwardly within the receptacle. In some cases, however, particularly on small installations where a relatively light weight carrier is employed, it is advantageous to provide an idler pulley or the like within the looped portion, to ensure the proper path for such looped portion, as shown, for example, in my above-mentioneol pending application.

The side portion of the housing 42 adjacent the feed launder 52 is preferably carried downwardly as at 42a so as to provide baflle means extending from above to below the liquid level L but spaced from the bottom of the tank 4!, whereby direct passage of material is prevented between said feed launder 52 and the slimes launder i9.

Other modifications of this invention will ocour to those skilled in the art, and while I have actually illustrated but a single example of structure, it will be appreciated that I do not view my invention as limited thereto, but rather to the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A classifier comprising a tank provided with means for supplying divided material together with liquid thereto, movable: elevator means extending into said tank and having its upper end mounted above the level of liquid in said tank, said elevator means comprising a flexible endless carrier means having ascending and descending run portions looped downwardly within said tank and provided with open-ended agitating and elevating members mounted thereon and adapted to agitate material in said tank and to scoop up coarse material from the tank and lift the same from the body of material in the tank while permitting liquid to drain through the open ends of said agitating and elevating members and to discharge the coarse material so lifted at a point above said liquid level, slimes overflow means located in said tank within said downwardly looped portion of said endless carrier means, and means for supporting and driving said carrier means.

2. The invention set forth in claim 1, said means for supplying divided material comprising launder means disposed at one side of said tank separated from said slimes overflow means by said downwardly looped portion of said carrier means.

3. The invention set forth in claim 1, said means for supplying divided material comprising launder means at the side of said tank adjacent the descending run portion of said carrier means.

a. The invention set forth in claim 1, said means for supplying divided material comprising launder means disposed at one side of said tank separated from said slimes overflow means by said downwardly looped portion of said carrier means, said invention comprising in addition, baflle means extending along said one side of said tank between said feed launder and said carrier means, said bafiie extending from a position above said liquid level to a position below said liquid level and spaced from the bottom of said tank.

ALEXANDER C. MUNRO. 

